Lawmakers hit Crossover Day on Thursday, and while many bills did not pass out of their respective chambers, we now have a good idea of the legislature’s priorities for the remainder of the session. Lawmakers now have 12 working days to get both chambers to agree on a bill before it can head to Gov. Brian Kemp.
Here is a recap of what is still alive after Crossover Day:
Tort reform
- The Senate advanced two separate tort reform measures aimed at limiting lawsuit abuse in Georgia. Senate Bill 68, sponsored by Sen. John F. Kennedy, R-Macon, would address several aspects of tort reform, including but not limited to reevaluating premises liability, requiring a truthful calculation of damages in personal injury cases (thereby eliminating “phantom damages”), and allowing a jury to know whether a plaintiff was wearing his or her seatbelt in an auto accident. The bill also proposes changes seeking to eliminate loopholes and amend certain procedures to ensure a fairer legal environment. The House Subcommittee of Rules on Lawsuit Reform has begun hearings on SB 68.
- SB 69, sponsored by Sen. John F. Kennedy, R-Macon, would regulate third party litigation financing with the hope of limiting outside influence on trials, which includes that from foreign governments, and predatory lending practices. The Foundation released a video on third party financing.
Taxes
- House Bill 111, sponsored by Rep. Soo Hong, R-Lawrenceville, lowers the state income tax rate from 5.39% to 5.19%. Similarly, taxpayers would receive a one-time rebate of up to $500 with HB 112, sponsored by Rep. Bubba McDonald, R-Cumming. Both bills cleared the House on Thursday.
- Legislation that will postpone the date by which local governments must opt out of the homestead exemption has advanced. HB 92 is sponsored by Rep. Shaw Blackmon, R-Bonaire.
Regulatory Reform
- The Senate approved the Red Tape Roll Back Act of 2025. SB 28, sponsored by Sen. Greg Dolezal, R-Cumming, would require state agencies to perform top-to-bottom reviews of their rules and regulations every four years, direct state agencies to reduce compliance and paperwork burdens on small businesses and require agencies to provide an economic impact analysis to the General Assembly for proposed rules that are estimated to cost over $1 million over five years. The first House Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight hearing for SB28 is expected to occur next week.
- SB 207, sponsored by Sen. Brian Strickland, R-McDonough, would allow individuals with criminal records to receive a predetermination from a licensing board prior to attempting to receive an occupational license. It cleared the Senate.
- SB 9, sponsored by Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell, passed the Senate this week. It aims to prohibit the distribution of AI-generated obscene material depicting children, establishing penalties for AI-assisted crimes, and introducing enhanced sentencing for offenses involving artificial intelligence.
Education
- Legislation intended to encourage and provide incentives for local boards of education to approve new charter schools has advanced. SB 82, known as the Local Charter School Authorization and Support Act of 2025, is sponsored by Sen. Clint Dixon, R-Buford.
- Legislation that would require the State Board of Education to publish federal guidance and guidelines was approved by the Senate. SB 124 is sponsored by Sen. Shawn Still, R-John’s Creek.
- The House approved HB 328, sponsored by Rep. Kasey Carpenter, R-Dalton, which would increase the annual tax credits available for the state’s tax credit scholarship program from $120 million per year to $140 million. Carpenter noted the program is regularly oversubscribed on day one each year.
- The Senate advanced legislation that would allow children of foster parents to qualify for the Georgia Promise Scholarship program. SB 152 is sponsored by Sen. Dolezal. Legislation that will allow military families to qualify for the Promise Scholarship program is included in SB 124.
- HB 192, sponsored by Rep. Matthew Gambill, R-Cartersville, is Gov. Brian Kemp’s “Top State for Talent Act.” The purpose is to align career education with the needs of Georgia’s workforce. This advanced out of the House.
All bills will now head to the opposite chamber for consideration and potential changes. Sine Die is Friday, April 4.
